The PIAA Wrestling Championships concluded on March 9, 2024, at the Giant Center in Hershey, where three District 2 wrestlers celebrated their achievements by securing bronze medals. Notably, Nathan Schuman of Honesdale, Mason Whitney of Abington Heights, and Evelyn Sheer of Hazleton Area showcased their skills in a series of intense matches.
Mason Whitney faced significant pressure after losing his first match of the Class 3A Wrestling Championships on Thursday. Determined to make a comeback, the junior wrestler won six consecutive matches, ultimately earning a bronze medal in the 133-pound category. Whitney acknowledged the challenge of his initial setback but emphasized the importance of focusing on one match at a time.
“I just took it one match at a time and worked my way back,” Whitney said. His path to victory included defeating top-ranked opponents, including a rematch against Altoona’s Braiden Weaver, who had previously handed him a narrow loss. Whitney reversed this outcome with a 3-2 victory, showcasing a pivotal second-period takedown that propelled him into the third-place match.
In that decisive bout, Whitney faced Nazareth’s Caleb Kosko, whom he had previously lost to in the quarterfinals. With relentless offense and strategic control, Whitney secured a 4-3 win, marking his best finish at states after placing seventh as a freshman and eighth as a sophomore.
“It’s just a boost of confidence,” Whitney remarked, reflecting on how his performance this year has set the tone for his future.
Nathan Schuman, competing in the 107-pound category, similarly overcame obstacles to claim bronze. Ranked third in the state, Schuman faced familiar opponents throughout the competition. He advanced to the third-place match after a decisive 6-3 victory over Montoursville’s Branden Eisenhour in the consolation semifinals.
“I just wrestled a smart match,” Schuman noted, explaining his approach to handling the pressure of closely contested bouts. In the third-place match against Riley Crandall of Faith Christian, Schuman demonstrated his dominance, executing six takedowns and finishing with a technical fall of 23-5.
“It feels amazing to dominate like that,” Schuman stated, underscoring the satisfaction of overcoming an earlier semifinal loss to Trinity’s Arav Pandey, who is ranked second in the state.
Evelyn Sheer, a freshman and fifth in state at 235 pounds, capped off her remarkable season with two impressive victories. In the consolation semifinals, Sheer avenged a previous loss to Bedford’s Mylah Steinbuch by pinning her in the second period. Sheer then faced Albert Gallatin’s Jenna Chapman in the third-place match, where she secured another pin within just 29 seconds.
“It feels really good,” Sheer expressed, reflecting on her successful season. “I’m really grateful that I could even get here and wrestle.”
Alongside these medalists, other District 2 wrestlers also competed valiantly. C.J. Caines of Hanover Area finished fifth in the 127-pound Class 2A bracket, while Jake Benyo of Hazleton Area placed sixth in the 121-pound Class 3A division.
The PIAA Wrestling Championships highlighted the resilience and determination of these athletes, with each competitor showcasing their skills on a prestigious stage. As they look to the future, their experiences at the Giant Center will undoubtedly serve as a foundation for continued growth in the sport.
